it's magic beans and ferry dust. >> john boehner's heavy-handed approach to leadership, boehner and the republican steering committee kicked four republican congressmen out of their committee seats for voting against party leadership in the past. but boehner finds himself in an increasingly weak position. senate minority leader mitch mcconnell refused to take a position on boehner's debt plan today. >> i have no particular observation other than i commend the house leadership for trying to move. the process along and getting to a point where hopefully we can have a real discussion. >> house democrats are cranking up the pressure. tim walsh of minnesota introduced a discharge petition on the middle class tax cuts in the house. if it gets 218 signatures, it would get a floor vote before the end of the month. >> this is an issue that we all agree on. >> democratic leader nancy pelosi announced a plan for the discharge petition last week. the petition keeps the focus on extending tax cuts for 98% of americans. i spoke to leader pelosi late this afternoon about the strategy and the latest de